A full and frank exchange with Mr Prince

December 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 1823 – Finished packing and everything on board on the 5th

I went to Flushing [to Prince’s Nursery]: our words were not of the most amicable tenor, and I am sorry to say that I leave America without having good feeling towards every person; and the conduct towards the Society of Mr Prince is by no means laudable and towards myself most infamous.
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This is DD’s famous row with Mr Prince. He doesn’t go into details and it’s impossible to speculate with any certainty. But I suspect that Prince has promised certain items to Douglas and failed to deliver, or attempted a price rip-off beyond his original quote. He may also be threatening to blacken Douglas' name with the Society. Whatever, it would have been lovely to have been a fly on the wall.
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Mr Kennedy has through the whole of my stay here been very kind, and I have experienced every facility in his power. I need not say anything of Mr Hogg (his ability and willingness are well known to the Society), Mr Floy and Mr Wilson, and in fact every person except Prince: this gentleman is now such as becomes the Society to withhold the correspondence.

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This, about Prince, is strong stuff from Douglas, still only 24, remember.   Prince is an important corresponding member of the Society, and a valuable source of American plants for British members, and Douglas is recommending that the Society withdraw that Corresponding Member status.  Hmm, steady on, David.  Proceed with care.

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The feelings of Dr Hosack are already known. I cannot but say, at all times and in all cases, I found his very philanthropic mind unchanged, and his advice as to my own comfort. My feelings will never, I hope, in an instance speak but with gratefulness of Governor Clinton. I can say nothing more than that Dr Hosack is a Clinton, and Clinton a Hosack.

This is an interesting excerpt from Douglas' Journal. He is writing in full knowledge that it will be read by his employers, so is at pains to thank, in this public form, those who have been so helpful to him. Quite right too. But he also loses no opportunity to twist the knife with regard to Mr Prince. Is he getting his retaliation in first, I wonder? Prince is a corresponding member of the Society and, if he is feeling aggrieved at the outcome of his dealings with Douglas, may be inclined to cast aspersions on the character and abilities of the Society's man. Indeed, Lindsay and House tell us that "...Prince was displeased at this snub [DD buying plants elsewhere because Prince's were expensive and weren't up to Douglas' standards].  Not only did he complain to the Society in London, he also did his best to blacken Douglas' name in and around New York."

Let's not forget that this is Douglas' first expedition and, despite Hooker's recommendation and all his Scottish experience, he is still relatively untested as a plant collector in the Society's eyes. He may be feeling a tad vulnerable, hence "telling it as it was" with regard to Prince.